Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A reader of our column posted a comment in response to our article voicing our disgust that Scott Bryce had been fired from the role of Craig Montgomery on As the World Turns. I am reposting her comment here, so that it can be more widely seen.

"We are actively protesting his firing, also. We have a petition and a support page to assist fans in making themselves heard.

Avery Wilkins is in her prime. She's 30 years old, living in Manhattan, beautiful, smart, and the head of her own cosmetics company, Flair. But her enviable exterior hides deep heartache and painful secrets. Determined to launch a successful perfume, and hopeful that her relationship with handsome and supportive Marcus is getting serious, Avery is chasing her dreams--and running from her traumatic past.

Just when things seem to be on an even keel, Avery is hit with a succession of shocking setbacks, surprises, and betrayals: A drug-addicted colleague who threatens the future of Flair, one boyfriend who is incapable of fidelity, another who may have committed a terrible crime, a long-lost sister who isn't quite who she seems, and most disturbing of all, the sudden appearance of a woman claiming to be Avery's birth mother.

Avery is forced to question the loyalty of friends, lovers, and colleagues, and even her own beliefs about where she came from and who she is. Through it all, she draws on her ambition, grit, and cunning to outsmart her enemies, keep her company afloat, and protect herself from emotional meltdown. But when her archenemy resorts to kidnapping, has Avery finally met her match?

Dramatic, sexy, and fun, Charm! is a wickedly entertaining roman a clef by All My Children favorite Kendall Hart. Brimming with scandal, romance, backstabbing, and unpredictable twists, it is every bit as shocking and captivating as the character who wrote it.

About the Author: All My Children's Kendall Hart, played by Alicia Minshew, is the daughter of the legendary Erica Kane. The founder and owner of Fusion Cosmetics, Kendall lives in Pine Valley with her husband and two children. A family crisis spurred her to write Charm! This is her first novel.

UPDATE!

I just got word that Alicia will be making appearances at NY-area bookstores to promote her new book. Check it out:

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Sadly, it seems there is more violence than romance on General Hospital these days. In my most recent entry for Daytime Dial's Summaries edition that appears in daily newspapers, I think the entire paragraph involved shootings, a hit-and-run and a strangling. Fortunately, when SOAPnet aired some older episodes of GH featuring the three great loves of Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) titled Robin Unwrapped, there were more cupid's arrows than bullets.

In preparation for the special, viewers were invited to submit their personal Valentine love letters, stories and proposals to be read by McCullough during breaks of Unwrapped. More than 1,000 letters were sent, including 17 marriage proposals and a high-school prom invitation. McCullough read every proposal on-air or online. As a result, several couples got engaged on Sunday!

Now, hopefully, if these couples have a baby someday, the wife can give birth without taking a bullet to the head! (Yes, I'm talking to you Sonny and Carly.)

* Nick rebounds rather quickly.* Eric and Donna have a public break-up.* Rick helps Taylor ease her pain.* Stephanie becomes suspicious of Eric.* Brooke must make a decision about with whom her future lies.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Next Week:

* Faced with death, the Salemites act out in desperation.* John fires a flare gun in hopes of being rescued.* After Kayla's traumatic ordeal, she worries about her unborn baby.* Philip, Chloe, and John improvise shelters for the crash survivors.* Abe and Roman get news that the crash site has been spotted.Thursday - Victor lays into Chloe for answers about Brady's disappearance.Friday - Steve receives an alarming note from a mysterious woman, which threatens Kayla.

PASSIONS

Next Week:

Monday, February 18* Pilar lashes out at Gwen and Juanita.* Ethan is devistated by Theresa's death.* Paloma rescues Noah.

Tuesday, February 19* Theresa is drawn to a bright light.* Juanita tries to make a deal with Gwen.* Ivy and Sam make a commitment to each other.

Wednesday, February 20* Juanita vows to continue her plans for revenge.* Ethan plans to destroy whomever is responsible for Theresa's death.* Fancy is stunned that Marty is so afraid of her.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

This Week:

* Jack and Sharon go to war with Gloria and Jeff over the Abbott mansion. How far will either side go to get the other out of the house?* Amber and Daniel wake up from their one night stand and wonder how it will affect their relationship. Will their friendship be ruined, or will something more develop?* Victoria learns that J.T. was willing to sacrifice the baby to save her life while she was in her coma. Will the truth destroy their marriage?* Singer Pat Benatar visits Genoa City to help Karen overcome her stage fright.

Don't miss The Young and the Restless Feb. 26-28, as John McCook and Eileen Davidson cross over from The Bold and the Beautiful when Jack and Sharon travel to Los Angeles to promote their new magazine to Eric Forrester. However, I have a feeling that Victor might try to destroy their plans for magazine sponsorship, ya think?

Also, on Feb. 18, Signy Coleman appears as Hope, and has some good news/bad news for Victor. How will this affect his family back in Genoa City? Stay tuned!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Patsy Pease returns to Salem to reprise her role as Kimberly Brady. Kimberly will first reunite with her family on Wednesday, February 27th. However, the occasion of her return is a somber one, as she is back in town for a beloved family member's funeral.

Like many fans, I am very dismayed to hear that Scott Bryce has been released early from his contract role as Craig Montgomery on As the World Turns. The powers that be at ATWT have made some knuckleheaded moves in the past, but this one has to take the cake. I cannot even begin to imagine what they were thinking when they decided that this was a good idea.

First, they waste the return of Cady McClain as Rosanna, and now they waste the great talent that is Scott Bryce.

When I spoke with Scott last spring about his return to the show, he was just as excited as we fans were. He was excited to explore the machinations of what makes Craig tick. He told me: "You have to find the substance and the reason behind the action. Deep inside, what are his deep vulnerabilities? He was a bad boy who was cured by love and family. Now his family has disintegrated, his son died. Everything he thought he could live by was pulled out from under him; now he doesn’t trust.”

Scott felt that his history with the show and the characters would serve him well in his latest run with the show. “As long as we stick to the core of relationships and family — which is what this show is about — we’ll be all right. I need to find the humanity that propels Craig’s villainy. He’s not the character you love to hate; he’s the character you hate to love.”

If you are as upset as we are about Scott's firing, make your voice heard. Write to: Chris Goutman, Executive Producer, As the World Turns, 1268 East 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230.